Home Remedies for a Cat's Itching Skin

A cat's itching skin may be the result of many underlying conditions, such as allergies, flea bites, dry patches and even parasites. Excessive scratching can lead to more serious problems such as hair loss and infection. It is advisable to get to the root of the problem by having the cat seen by a veterinarian. In the meantime, for minor itching problems, there are some things that can be done at home that will give the cat some relief.

  1. Olive Oil

    • If the cat's skin is itching because the air is very dry, add some olive oil to her food to improve her skin. Fats found in olive oil---monounsaturated omega-9---are considered healing fats.

    Fatty Acids

    • If the cat's itching skin is due to allergies, give him fatty-acid supplements such as omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce the amount of histamine that is released in response to allergies.

    B Vitamins

    • Biotin is a B vitamin used to alleviate dry skin, seborrhea (a condition along the same lines as eczema), and skin allergies in cats. Biotin is commonly used in combination with fatty acids to treat cats with allergies. Biotin is available as a supplemental powder containing just biotin, or as a supplement such as brewer's yeast, which contains other ingredients. A veterinarian can recommend the best biotin supplement to give to the cat on a daily basis.

    Cool Bath

    • Give your cat a cool bath to relieve itching. Add colloidal oatmeal to the bathwater for further soothing. While some cats detest water, others don't mind. Allow your cat to soak in the bath for at least 10 minutes.